Chapter 8

People ran through the square screaming, surrounded by burning rubble. Arthur and his knights ran past with crossbows. For three days now, the Great Dragon had been attacking Camelot. And Merlin knew it was all his fault.

He walked with Arthur on the battlements as the prince prepared for battle, "I'm sorry you're having to do this."

Arthur looked to him, "Why? You're not to blame." Merlin gave a sad sigh as the dragon approached.

"Flame up!" Arthur ordered and the knights lite their arrows and took aim, "Stay strong! For tonight is not your night to die, I will make sure of that! Hold firm! Hold! Hold! Now!"

The knights shot the arrows, but the dragon flamed the battlements and they all ducked.

Merlin jogged out into the square and threw a magical spear at the dragon. It bounced off.

The dragon scoffed, "Do not imagine that your petty magic can harm me!" The dragon flew off.

"Why are you doing this?!" Merlin yelled desperately, "You're killing innocent people!"

But the dragon was gone, so Merlin went to go check on Gaius and Morgana.

He found them tending to the wounded. Merlin approached Morgana, who turned to him.

"Are you hurt?" She asked worriedly, looking him over.

"There's nothing anyone can do." Merlin said sadly, "Not even Ladybug and Cat Noir can save us now…"

They both sighed, knowing from the first night that he was right.

OoOoO

In the designated War Room, the next morning, Arthur, Uther, Morgana, the knights, and the advisors met.

"The dead number 49 men, 27 women, a further 18 women and children are unaccounted for." Arthur informed, "Most of last night's fires are now out. The castle walls, in particular, the western section is near to collapse, I could go on."

"Do we have any further idea on how the beast escaped?" Uther asked.

"I regret to say, Sire, we don't." Leon answered.

"There must be some way to rid ourselves of this aberration." Uther looked to Gaius, "Gaius?"

Gaius took a breath as though he was about to suggest a terrible idea, "We need a Dragonlord, Sire."

"You know very well that's not an option." Uther said, but Gaius walked up to him, almost reluctantly, "Sire, what if...there was, indeed, one last Dragonlord left."

"That's not possible"

"But if there was."

Uther turned to him, and both Merlin and Morgana watch in curiosity, "What are you saying?"

"It may just be rumor." Gaius said, but he had caught Uther's attention, "Go on."

"I'm not exactly sure," Gaius said, "but I think his name is Balinor."

Uther looked like he had been burnt, "Balinor?"

"Where does he live?" Arthur asked, clearly on board with this idea.

"He was last seen in Cenred's kingdom in the border town of Enged, but that was many years ago." Gaius said to Arthur and Merlin wondered why Gaius hadn't suggested this three freaking days ago.

"If this man still exists, then it is our duty to find him." Morgana said, and it was clear she had just beaten Arthur to the punch.

"Our treaty with Cenred no longer holds. We are at war." Uther said, "If they discovered anyone beyond our border, they would kill them."

"I will go alone." Arthur said.

"No."

"That way I will not be detected."

"No, Arthur. It is too dangerous." Uther ordered.

"More dangerous than staying here?" Arthur asked rhetorically, clearly to prove a point, "I'll not stand by and watch my men die when I have the chance to save them."

Uther glared at his son, "I have given you my orders."

"Do not make this a test of wills, Father." Arthur warned, and Merlin genuinely debated who would win; he'd need to make a bet with Morgana later.

"I'm not talking to you as a father, I'm talking to you as a king!" Uther shouted, and immediately proved who would win this argument.

"I will ride immediately." Arthur said.

"My concern is for you." Uther said.

"Mine is for Camelot. I'll send word when I've found him." Merlin already knew what Arthur would say, but let the prince order him about, "Prepare the horses."

Merlin bowed to Uther and followed Arthur out.

OoOoO

Merlin packed for their journey later that day, firing questions at Gaius,

"Who were the Dragonlords? Gaius?" His words pulled Gaius out of his contemplative pacing.

"There were once men who could talk to the dragons, tame them." Gaius said, which caught Merlin's interest, "What happened to them?"

"Uther believed that the art of the Dragonlord was too close to magic. So, he had them all rounded up and slaughtered."

Merlin cringed at how bloodthirsty the king was and could hear Plagg gag. He slipped Plagg some cheese to keep him quiet and fired another question, "But one survived. How did you know?"

"I helped him escape."

Merlin turned to his uncle in shock, "Gaius."

Gaius softened, as though talking to a small child, "Merlin, you've never heard the name Balinor?"

"No."

"Your mother never mentioned him?"

That caught Merlin's attention, "My mother?"

"She took him in." Gaius informed, and Merlin felt pride in his mother, "She stood up against Uther?"

"Yes."

Merlin grinned, "She was brave."

"Yes." Gaius agreed, "When Uther discovered where Balinor was, he sent knights to Ealdor to hunt him down. He was forced to flee."

"Why didn't my mother tell me any of this?" Merlin asked, slightly annoyed at being kept in the dark.

"Merlin, I promised her I would never speak of these things." Gaius said, and Merlin really wondered why, "Of what?"

"I've always treated you as my son," Gaius said in a tone which screamed he was about to tell Merlin some bad news, "but that is not what you are. The man you are going to look for is your father."

Merlin took a step back, "My father?"

Gaius nodded, "Yes."

"He was a Dragonlord?" Merlin's mind was in a whirlwind, mind swirling with questions, eventually, he settled with the most important, "Why did no one ever tell me?!"

"I wanted to." Gaius said, "Your mother feared it would be too dangerous."

"I had a right to know!" Merlin said angrily, though Plagg's gently purring was very calming—Plagg had come up with this technique to prevent Merlin from doing something stupid on impulse, and it was very effective.

"She wanted to protect you." Gaius said.

"No." Merlin said in a voice that displayed all the pain being a bastard in a small, superstitious village had held, "I had a right to know."

He stormed off and walked down to prepare his horse, cooling off and trying to see things from his mother's point of view. An unmarried woman hooks up with a Dragonlord in a magic-hating village, then after he was forced to leave, only to discover she was pregnant, and said child was a powerful warlock. He knew he was making it blunter than it really was, but this was how he worked. He still didn't understand why he wasn't at least told the reason for his gifts was potentially because it was genetic, that would have made his life easier and less worrying he was just a freak of nature.

He was brought from his thoughts by Plagg alerting him Gaius was approaching.

"You got everything you need?"

Merlin nodded, suddenly feeling very guilty, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"I know that." Gaius said.

"Come on, Merlin." Arthur said, and Merlin walked up to him.

"You're ready?" Merlin asked.

"No thanks to you." Arthur said, cringing from a wound Merlin just then noticed.

"You okay?"

"It's just a scratch." Arthur said nonchalantly, trotting off.

Merlin got on his horse, about to follow Arthur, but was stopped by Gaius, "Merlin, whatever happens, you must not let Arthur know who this man is. Uther would view the son of a Dragonlord with the deepest suspicion."

Merlin nodded and trotted after Arthur.

They rode for a couple hours and paused at the top of a hill overlooking a village.

"This is it." Arthur announced, "One more step and we're in Cenred's kingdom. This Balinor better be worth it."

Arthur and Merlin arrived in the village that night in the pouring rain. They entered a tavern, and everyone stopped to stare at them and Merlin felt more socially awkward than those nightmares of Plagg being his brother and being…well…Plagg. Enough said.

"Greetings!" Arthur greeted, and a man pulled a knife out of a table, making Merlin feel uneasy as they sat at a table and the innkeeper slopped their drinks all over the table.

"We're looking for a man named Balinor. I'm willing to pay…" Arthur slapped a bag of coins in front of the innkeeper, "…handsomely."

The innkeeper nodded and leaned in, "Never heard of him." The innkeeper took the coins Arthur had on the end of the table.

"You think one of these men is Balinor?" Merlin asked.

"I hope not."

Merlin looked around, and knew he definitely didn't want one of these men to be his father, "So do I."

OoOoO

Arthur and Merlin got ready for bed and Merlin had been more silent than ever, something Arthur caught onto and was fed up with.

"What is wrong with you today?" Arthur asked.

Merlin turned to look at him, "What?"

"It pains me to admit it, but I do enjoy your surly retorts. In fact, it's probably your only redeemable feature."

Merlin chuckle, "Thanks."

"There are loads of servants who can serve. So few are capable of making a complete prat of themselves. What is it?"

"Nothing." Merlin said, trying to avoid the conversation and focus on Plagg's snores.

"It's something." Arthur insisted, "Tell me." When Merlin didn't respond, Arthur turned from playful to gentle, "Alright, I know I'm a prince, so we can't be friends. But if I wasn't a prince…"

Merlin stopped listening to Plagg's snores and turned to his destiny, "What?"

"Well, then...I think we'd probably get on." Arthur said, but Merlin heard the double meaning. What he was really saying is, "We're friends, but I can't admit it because of propriety."

Still, he didn't see what that had to do with this conversation, "So?"

"So at least can you tell me?" Arthur asked, and he seemed concerned, but Merlin couldn't tell him. As much as he wanted to…

"Well, that's true." Merlin replied, beginning to nod off as Plagg's snores became rhythmic, "But you see, if you weren't a prince, I'd tell you to mind your own damn business."

"Merlin. Are you missing Gaius?" Arthur asked.

Merlin shrugged, "Something like that."

"Well, what is it, then?" Arthur threw a pillow at Merlin and Merlin was reminded of the brothers across the road in Ealdor, it warmed his heart. So he decided to at least tell part of the truth, "I'm worried about everyone back in Camelot. I hope they're alright."

Arthur nodded, "So do I."

"I hope Ladybug and Cat Noir find a way to keep the dragon at bay." Merlin added, though he knew there wasn't a good chance of that.

Leon led the knights against the dragon back in Camelot.

"Hold! Hold! Hold! Now!"

They shot at the Great Dragon and said dragon blew fire. The knights hunched down and overlapped their shields against the flames. Morgana watched from her chambers and turned to Tikki,

"I hope Cat Noir is okay." Morgana said, worried sick about her partner, who she hadn't seen since the first attack. She feared he was dead, he didn't pick up for her either, and he had picked up in the middle of the night when she had a nightmare and needed to talk many times before. This was the first time she was without him from the day they met.

Tikki shrugged, "Plagg would have come to me if his owner were killed. Cat Noir's alive to my knowledge."

Morgana let out a sigh of relief, "That's good. But I hope Merlin and Arthur get back soon."

OoOoO

Someone snuck into the room and reached for Arthur's bag. Arthur grabbed the man's hand and threw him onto Merlin's bed at knifepoint. Merlin woke up groggily and looked down at what was occurring, "What's going on?"

"Do you know what the punishment is for theft?" Arthur asked rhetorically.

"No, please." The man begged, "I've got children to feed."

"Tell me where to find Balinor." Arthur ordered.

The man looked startled, "Balinor?"

"What do you know of him?"

"Nothing. I…"

Arthur pushed the knife closer to the man's neck, "Do you value your life?"

"It's been many years since I saw him!" The man said, and Merlin became interested.

"You know where he lives?" Arthur asked, Merlin had been about to say the same thing, but decided to let Arthur do the interrogating.

"You must travel through the Forest of Merendra to the foot of Feorre Mountain." The man said semi-dramatically, "There you will find the cave where Balinor dwells." Arthur released the man and he continued, "But don't get your hopes up."

"Why?" Merlin asked curiously.

"He will not welcome you." The man said, "Balinor hates everyone and everything. A cave's the best place for him."

OoOoO

Merlin and Arthur walked their horses through the woods, Arthur stumbled a bit and Merlin noticed.

"It's alright." Arthur assured, but Merlin wasn't convinced in the slightest.

"No, it's the wound. Let me have a look." Merlin began examining the wound when a branch snapped, "Get down! Get down!" Merlin whispered, pulling Arthur down to hide behind a fallen tree. Cenred's men passed by, "Arthur?" Merlin whispered, shaking him, "Arthur?"

Arthur had passed out.

Merlin threw Arthur over his horse and guided them to a cave. He left Arthur for a bit as he entered the cave, "Hello?!"

Someone grabbed him from behind and Merlin jumped in shock, spinning around and pinning the man to the ground with his foot.

"What do you want here, boy?" The man asked angrily, and Merlin let the man go and stared at him.

"My friend, he's sick! He needs help!" He paused and fidgeted with his ring guiltily, "Sorry about…"

"I'm impressed with your skills." The man admitted, "Show me, boy." Merlin kept staring and the man grew impatient, "What are you waiting for? Fetch him!"

OoOoO

The man was treating Arthur's wound.

"Ahlúttre þá séocnes. Þurh hæle bræd. He needs rest."

"Will he be alright?" Merlin asked

"By morning." The man replied.

"Thank you." The two of them ate dinner in comfortable silence, then Merlin decided to ask some question in hope of finding his father, "How long have you lived here?"

"A few winters." The man replied dryly.

"Must be hard." Merlin mused aloud, but he seemed to frustrate the man.

"Why are you here?"

"Just traveling." Merlin replied, "We're looking for someone. I was told, well… they said he lived somewhere hereabouts. A man named Balinor." The man tensed, and Merlin realized he was getting somewhere, "You never heard of him? He was a Dragonlord."

"He's passed on." The man replied, but Merlin could sense the lie and knew he was getting somewhere very fast, "You knew him?"

"Who are you?!" The man asked, either frightened or pissed, maybe both.

"I'm... Merlin."

"And him?" The man pointed to Arthur.

"He's my master." Merlin said meekly, still not fully sure he could trust this man with the fact he was tending to the Crown Prince of Camelot.

"His name!"

"His name is…" Merlin thought of a lie, "Plagg… He's a knight. You know, a nice one."

Merlin heard Plagg mutter, "Nice going." but chose to ignore him, so as to not reveal himself or look insane in front of this utter stranger.

"His name is Arthur Pendragon." The man said, raising his voice in anger, "He is Uther's son."

Merlin nodded, knowing he had been caught red handed, "Yes."

"This is Cenred's kingdom." The man said, "He's asking for trouble. What do you want from me?"

Merlin gaped. He had been talking to his father the whole time?! "Are you Balinor?" Balinor nodded, so Merlin explained, "The Great Dragon is attacking Camelot."

"His name is Kilgharrah." Balinor said, and Merlin realized he had never bother to ask the dragon's name. Merlin frowned at this thought, then realized that was not among the list of top priorities, "Well, we can't stop him. Only you, a Dragonlord, can."

"He doesn't act blindly." Balinor informed, "He kills for a reason. Vengeance. This is of Uther's making."

Merlin stared at his father in horror, "But he's killing innocent people. Women and children."

"Uther pursued me! He hunted me like an animal!"

Merlin took a breath, "I know."

"What do you know about anybody's life, boy?! Uther asked me to use my power to bring the last dragon to Camelot. He said he wanted to make peace with it, but he did not! He lied to me! He betrayed me!" Balinor seemed to be scrutinizing him, "You want me to protect this man?"

"I want you to protect Camelot." Merlin said.

"He killed every one of my kind! I alone escaped!"

Merlin looked up to his father, deciding to play dumb, "Where did you go?"

"There's a place called Ealdor."

Merlin smiled, urging him to go on, "Yes."

"I had a life there." Balinor said sadly, "A woman. A good woman. Ealdor is beyond Uther's realm, but still he pursued me. Why would he not let me be? What was it that I had done that he wanted to destroy the life I built, abandon the woman I loved? He sent knights to kill me. I was forced to come here, to this!" He gestured to the cave, "So, I understand how Kilgharrah feels. He's lost every one of his kind, every one of his kin. You want to know how that feels? Look around, boy. Let Uther die. Let Camelot fall."

"You want everyone in Camelot to die?" Merlin asked in horror.

"Why should I care?"

Merlin decided it was time to drop the surprise, "What if one of them was your son?"

"I don't have a son." Balinor shouted and Merlin realized then that his mother either hadn't known or hadn't told him. Merlin took a breath, "And if I told you—" He was interrupted from telling his father by Arthur coming too slightly,

"Merlin… Merlin." Arthur coughed and Balinor just looked between servant and master in confusion, not sure what to make of what he just witnessed.

OoOoO

Merlin was watching his father with Plagg by the mouth of the cave the next morning when Arthur came out of the cave.

"I feel great!" Arthur said, "What the hell did you give me?"

"It was all down to Balinor." Merlin said,

"So, we found him, then?" Arthur asked in relief, "Thank heaven for that."

"That doesn't mean he's willing to help." Merlin said, shaking his head slightly.

Arthur looked to him in shock, "What?"

"You won't persuade him." Merlin said.

"Does he know what's at stake?" Merlin nodded, and Arthur looked to Balinor as well, "What kind of man is he?"

"I don't know." Merlin said sadly, "I thought he'd be something more."

The people of Camelot were carrying buckets of water through the lower town to put out the fires from the previous night. Morgana gazed across Camelot from the battlements with tear-stained cheeks. Gaius joined her.

"You missing Arthur? He's strong. I believe, he'll be alright."

Morgana turned to him, "And Merlin?"

Gaius came to stand next to her, "You care a lot for him, don't you?"

"Most do." Morgana said with a shrug.

Gaius clearly understood her feelings, "It's alright, I won't tell anyone."

"I know we can never be as long as Uther is king." Morgana said sadly.

"Oh… the world's a strange place, Morgana. Never underestimate the power of love." Gaius gave her a knowing smile, "I've seen it change many things."

Curiosity got the best of her, so she asked the one question that made her lay awake at night sometimes, "Does he care the same way for me?"

Gaius shrugged, "I don't know. But Merlin has usually been oblivious about those kinds of things. If he tells me anything about having feelings for someone, you'll be the first to know." Morgana nodded slowly, but perked up when Gaius continued, "But I know he cares for you a good deal as at least a dear friend."

Morgana smiled, "Thank you Gaius."

Arthur walked back to Merlin after talking to Balinor.

"What did he say?" Merlin asked.

"He'll change his mind."

Merlin felt shocked, "He said that?"

"Just… give him a moment." Arthur said, and Merlin knew there was no hope.

"Farewell, then." Balinor said.

Arthur looked genuinely shocked, "That's your decision?"

"I will not help Uther." Balinor said simply.

Arthur looked to the Dragonlord in disgust and horror, "Then the people of Camelot are damned.

"So be it."

"Have you no conscience?!"

Balinor whirled around to face the prince, "You should ask that question of your father!"

"And you are no better than him!" Merlin snapped, unable to hold it in anymore; disgusted by the fact he was related to a man who would let innocents die, out of spite. He preferred being a bastard with an unnamed father. "Don't waste your time, Merlin!" Arthur said, but Merlin wasn't done, "Gaius spoke of the nobility of dragonlords! Clearly he was wrong!"

That name caught Balinor's attention, "Gaius?"

"Yes."

Balinor nodded, thinking about the elderly physician, "A good man."

"Yeah." Merlin agreed, "I was hoping you'd be like him."

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted, done worrying.

Merlin took a breath, still facing his father, "I wanted to…"

"Merlin!"

Merlin threw his hands up, "Well, there's no point." He left to follow Arthur.

OoOoO

Arthur and Merlin set up camp in the woods that night, and Merlin was once again silent, only this time in despair at the thought his father was willing to let the people of Camelot die.

"I always thought that silence would be a blessing with you," Arthur said, "but I find it just as irritating. You're a riddle, Merlin."

Merlin looked over to him, "A riddle?"

"Yes. But I've got to quite like you."

Merlin smiled slightly, "Yeah?" He turned back to the fire.

"Now I realize you're not as big a fool as you look." Arthur said, poking Merlin with a stick.

"Yeah, I feel the same." Merlin said, "Now that I realize you're not as arrogant as you sound."

"You still think I'm arrogant?" Arthur asked.

"No." Merlin said, "More… supercilious."

"That's a big word, Merlin. You sure you know what it means?"

"Condescending."

Arthur nodded, "Very good."

"Patronizing." Merlin continued, deciding to make a list.

"It doesn't quite mean that." Arthur said, so Merlin turned to him, "No, these are other things you are."

"Hang on!" Arthur said, realizing he was being insulted.

"Over bearing." Merlin continued, ignoring when Arthur shushed him, "Very overbearing."

"Merlin!"

"But you wanted me to talk." Merlin said, then he heard a twig snap. He picks up a long stick he had grabbed earlier to beat up any threats with and followed Arthur. They heard trees move behind them and turned around, Merlin just barely missing Balinor's face.

"Careful, boy." Balinor said, "I thought you might need some help. Even with that skillset of yours, this is dangerous country."

"And will you return to Camelot with us?" Arthur asked, clearly excited.

Balinor nodded and turned to face his son, "You are right, Merlin. There are some in Camelot who risked their lives for me. I owe a debt that must be repaid."

"If you succeed in killing the dragon, you will not go unrewarded." Arthur said, obviously thrilled.

Balinor scoffed, "I seek no reward."

Arthur shrugged, "Great! Let's eat."

Merlin and Balinor walked into the woods to collect firewood.

"This wood's too wet." Merlin said.

"Don't worry." Balinor replied, smiling, "I'm sure we'll find a way to make it light."

Merlin decided he might as well ask some question, "When you healed Arthur, I heard you mumble some words."

"An ancient prayer." Balinor informed.

"I thought it might've been more than that." Merlin said, wanting to know everything his father could possibly teach him.

"The Old Religion can teach us many things." Balinor said.

"The Old Religion." Merlin said with interest, "Is that something you were taught?"

"It's not something you can learn. Either it's a part of you, or it isn't. My father knew that, and his father before him."

"Were they also Dragonlords?" Merlin asked.

"We'll need some kindling."

Merlin decided he was going to tell his father, "You mentioned…You spoke of Ealdor. You took refuge with a woman."

"That was a long time ago." Balinor said wistfully, seeming to wish for the past.

"I grew up there." Merlin said, and he heard Plagg gasp as he came to the realization Merlin was dropping the bombshell.

"Ealdor?" Balinor asked.

Merlin nodded, "Yes. I know the woman."

Balinor looked to him hopefully, "Hunith? She's still alive?"

"Yes. She's my mother."

Balinor looked disappointed, "Then she married. That's good."

"She never married." Merlin said, taking a breath, "I'm your son."

Balinor stared at him in shock, "I don't know what it is to have a son."

"Or I a father." Merlin said, fighting back tears of joy. He heard something snap and saw Arthur walking close by. He turned back to his father, "You must not tell Arthur."

Balinor handed Merlin some firewood, taking notice of the ring and they smiled at one another.

OoOoO

Arthur slept as Merlin and Balinor sat by the campfire. Balinor whittled some wood.

"Why did you never return?" Merlin asked.

"I thought her life would be better without me." Balinor answered, continuing to whittle his wood.

"Why?"

"Uther wanted me dead." Balinor said as though the answer was obvious, "If he'd found me, he'd have killed me, and your mother. I wanted her to be safe."

"We could've come with you." Merlin said, imagining a life with his father like that. But he knew he couldn't imagine a life outside of Camelot.

"What kind of life would you have had here?" Balinor gestured to the woods.

"We'd have been… happy." He grinned to his father, "When we've finished in Camelot, I will take you to Ealdor."

"She won't recognize me." Balinor gestured to Merlin, "I see her in you."

"Yeah?"

"You have her kindness."

Merlin could practically feel Plagg's eye roll, so he decided to ask some questions about magic, "How did you become a Dragonlord?"

"You don't choose to become a Dragonlord." Balinor said, still whittling his wood, "It's not something you're taught. It's a sacred gift. For thousands of years it's been handed down from father to son. And that is what you must now become, Merlin."

"I would like that." Merlin said, smiling.

"And like all Dragonlords, you won't know for sure that you have that power until you face your first dragon." Balinor looked at how Merlin fidgeted with his Miraculous, "Where did you get that ring?"

Merlin decided he wouldn't lie about it, "I just… found it in my room one day."

Balinor nodded in acceptance, "It looks good on you." he nodded to himself with a sort of pride in his eyes, "You should get some sleep. We've a big day ahead of us. Goodnight, Son."

Merlin beamed, never thinking he would hear those words, nor say what he was about to say, "Sleep well, Father."

OoOoO

Merlin woke and saw a mini-dragon his father whittled for him. He smiled, only to have his happy bubble burst by Arthur grabbing him from behind, covering his mouth.

"Cenred's men." Arthur whispered drawing his sword. Cenred's men attacked. Merlin tossed his father a sword and took on his own opponent. Unfortunately, his makeshift staff had gotten used as firewood, not thinking it would be of any use. Merlin was wielding a sword, but got disarmed rather quickly because he was better with a staff he could use both hands with instead of a pointy object. Balinor rushed to his aid.

"No!"

Balinor was run through. Merlin caught his father and looked to the man who had stabbed him, screaming as his eyes flashed gold and he threw the guard into a tree. He lowered his father to the ground and held him.

"Ah, I see you have your father's talent." Balinor said weakly, "Merlin…"

"Please, no." Merlin begged, "Please. I can save you." Then he decided he wasn't going to hid Plagg from his father either, "Plagg, please do something! You always rave about being a god, do something!"

Plagg sat next to Balinor and the Dragonlord didn't look surprised in the slightest as the kwami look to his chosen sadly, "I am the god of destruction, not healing. Tikki, Ladybug's kwami, would be the one to go to for that."

"Listen to me." Balinor said, "When you face the dragon, your Miraculous won't work. Remember: be strong. A dragon's heart is on its right side, not its left."

"I can't do it alone." Merlin said in desperate plea, unwilling to lose his father so soon.

"Listen to me!" Balinor insisted, "Oh, my son. I've seen enough in you to know that you will make me proud." Balinor fell limp and Merlin knew he was dead.

"No. Father." He began to cry as Plagg rushed back into his jacket, "No."

Arthur came over, saw Balinor's corpse, and threw his sword down, "No!" Merlin wiped his eyes and stood up to face Arthur, who looked like he had lost all hope, "Camelot is doomed."

OoOoO

Merlin and Arthur rode back to Camelot in the rain. Uther and his advisors stood as Arthur and Merlin entered the—designated—War Room.

"I'm sorry, Father. I failed you." Arthur said, looking down, "The last Dragonlord is dead."

Gaius looked at Merlin who was desperately trying not to cry. Gaius lowered his head.

"There are many years where I might've wished for that news." Uther said, and Merlin wanted to tear that man's heart out with a spoon and feed it to Kilgharrah. That man had no soul.

"All is not lost, Father." Arthur said, "We have to fight the monster ourselves. So let us ride out and fight on our own terms: on open ground, on horseback, where we can maneuver better."

"There is no point." Uther said, having already given up. Even though the king always sent Arthur out to fight these fool battles and he would be safely behind castle walls.

"So what?" Arthur looked to everyone else in the room, "We stand here, watch Camelot fall."

Uther nodded, "You have my blessing." Merlin sent him a dirty look. Uther hadn't been so willing to let Arthur go in search of Balinor, yet going off to face a dragon? It's almost like he was trying to get Arthur killed.

"I need a dozen knights!" Arthur said, "Those who do not wish to fight can do so without stain on their character. For those brave enough to volunteer should know, the chances of returning are slim."

Sir Leon was the first to step forward, followed by twelve other knights, who formed a circle around Arthur.

OoOoO

Merlin sat on his bed and cried over the dragon figurine his father had made for him. Plagg was drying his chosen's tear, clearly aware this was not the time to make jokes. Gaius came and Plagg hid in Merlin's jacket.

"Merlin, what happened?"

"I couldn't save him." Merlin said, bring to fight back sobs, "He said the Dragonlord's gift is passed from father to son."

"That is true." Gaius said.

Merlin turned to face his uncle, "When I faced the Great Dragon, my magic was useless."

"Your father wasn't dead." Gaius said, "It's only then you can inherit his powers."

"Do you think I'm strong enough to stand up to him?"

Gaius shrugged, "Only time will tell."

OoOoO

Merlin helps Arthur put on his armor before the battle.

"Well, look on the bright side, Merlin. Chances are you're not going to have to clean this again." Arthur said, trying to make a joke, but Merlin was in a very grim and serious mood,

"You must be careful today. Do not force the battle."

Arthur did a mock tension, "Yes, Sire!"

"I'm serious." Merlin said with a hint of warning in his tone, though Arthur still seemed to be joking.

"I can hear that."

"Let matters take their course." Merlin insisted, and Arthur grew serious as well.

"Merlin, if I die, please…"

"What?"

Arthur turned to face him, "The Dragonlord today...I saw you." Merlin grew tense, unsure of the things Arthur could have seen: magic? Plagg? What did he see? He controlled his breathing and felt Arthur put a hand on his shoulder, "One thing I tell all my young knights: no man is worth your tears."

"Yeah." Merlin agreed, trying to hide the tinge of hurt he felt, "You're certainly not."

Arthur picked up a sword and Merlin did too.

"What are you doing?" Arthur asked.

"I'm coming with you."

"Merlin, the chances are I'm going to die." Arthur said, trying to dissuade him, but only managed to persuade him more, "Yeah. Yeah, you probably would if I wasn't there."

Arthur scoffed, "Right."

"Do you know how many times I've had to save your royal backside?" Merlin asked, genuinely wondering how many times Arthur had noticed, only to be disappointed.

"Well at least you got your sense of humor back." Arthur swiped Merlin's sword out of the way and heads toward the door. Merlin followed, and Arthur stopped, "Are you really going to face this dragon with me?"

"I'm not going to sit here and watch." Merlin said, "I know it's hard for you to understand how I feel, but… well, I care a hell of a lot about that armor, I'm not going to let you mess it up." They laughed, and Arthur gave Merlin a friendly hit and they left, making their way to the clearing waiting for Kilgharrah

The dragon arrived, and Arthur began shouting orders, "Hold firm." Kilgharrah swooped down and Merlin could tell Arthur was growing nervous, "Hold! Hold! Hold!" He took a breath, "Now!"

The knights circled their horses in formation to surrounded Kilgharrah. Kilgharrah knocked Merlin, Arthur and some other knights off their horses with his tail and roasted some other knights.

"No. Stop!" Merlin begged, but it fell unto deaf ears as Kilgharrah turned toward Merlin and Arthur. Arthur picked up a spear and Kilgharrah contemplates the prince for a moment and then tried to flambé him—which made no sense to Merlin as the damn overgrown lizard had tried to sacrifice his mother to keep Arthur alive. Still, Arthur rolled out of the way and stabbed Kilgharrah in the side. Kilgharrah roared and knocked Arthur out. And then Merlin had enough, he stood up, hearing his father's voice in his head, "You're the last Dragonlord now. You alone carry the ancient gift. Deep within yourself, you must find the voice that you and Kilgharrah share, for your soul and his are brothers. When you speak to him as kin, he must obey your will."

Merlin threw his heard back to look the dragon in the eyes and roared, "Dracan! Nán dyd ǽlc áciere miss! Eftsíðas eom ála cræt! Géate' stǽr ábære gárrǽs! Géate cyre. Mé tácen átende diegollice. Car grise áþes."

Kilgharrah looked shocked, but settled back and bowed to Merlin. Merlin picked up the spear and looked to the dragon with sorrow and rage.

"I am the last of my kind, Merlin." Kilgharrah begged, "Whatever wrongs I have done, do not make me responsible for the death of my noble breed."

Merlin thrust the spear into the air and Kilgharrah winced, only to look shocked to find he wasn't dead. Merlin felt a tear fall down his face, "Go! Leave! If you ever attack Camelot again, I will kill you!" Kilgharrah bowed and Merlin dropped the spear, "I have shown you mercy! Now you must do the same to others!"

Kilgharrah looked immensely grateful, "Young warlock, what you have shown is what you will be. I will not forget your clemency. I'm sure our paths will cross again." Kilgharrah flew off just as Arthur woke up.

"What happened?"

Merlin turned to the prince, "You dealt him a mortal blow."

"He's gone?" Arthur asked, he looked so happy at the idea he saved his kingdom and Merlin felt happy for him, "Yeah. You did it."

Arthur laid back in the grass and laughed in relief and joy, so Merlin helped him up and they headed for the drawbridge. Gwen, Morgana and Gaius came to meet them, and Gwen ran to Arthur and hugged him.

Merlin walked over to Gaius and the two of them hugged, "My boy." Gaius said proudly.

"I felt him there with me, Gaius." Merlin said, overjoyed for the first time since his father's death.

"He'll always be with you." Gaius said.

"I hope so."

Gaius put a hand on Merlin's shoulder, "Merlin, I know I can never compare with your father, but for what it's worth, you've still got me."

"Well, I suppose I'll just have to make do." Merlin said, making Gaius laugh. Then he heard Morgana shout his name and turned to face his friend. Morgana ran over and hugged him, before breaking the hug and blushing.

OoOoO

Ladybug was sitting on the eastern tower, about to start patrol. She looked into the distance sadly, unsure if her partner was still alive. Maybe Tikki was wrong, or the Cat Miraculous had been destroyed. Then she heard the voice of the man she had been desperate to hear,

"M'Lady?"

Ladybug turned and beamed, seeing her partner waving sheepishly. She ran to him and hugged him, "Cat Noir! You're alive!"

"It takes more than a dragon to get rid of me." Cat Noir said with a playful grin, "I was following Merlin and Arthur to find the last Dragonlord… my birthfather, according to my mother… I never knew him." He began to tear up, though he was still trying to smile, "He died in my arms…"

Ladybug hugged him again, "Oh kitty. It's alright. Everything will be okay now." She gave him a serious expression, "But don't you ever scare me like that again."

Cat Noir returned the hug, "Thank you, Bugaboo. Whatever you say."